Educate, Train, Release

Our certified instructors have decades of real-life experience in Education, Administration, and Curriculum Development, Life Coaching, Basic & Advanced Life Support, Self Defense, Terrorism Awareness, Safety & Security, the Arts, and more.

We hope you find our trainings beneficial! Scroll down to view our offerings. Whether online or in person, we’re looking forward to meeting you!

All online classes available in-person as well.

PRESCHOOL CLASSES

Learn, Create, Explore Preschool

Instructor: Donna Penna

(4-5 yrs)

M-W-F, Time: TBD

TUITION IS BASED ON A 4-WK SCHEDULE

This one-hour class will focus on learning the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, etc. all in a fun arts-integrated way! We will explore using hands-on activities, art, songs, dance, and science.

Class format is through the Zoom format.

ELEMENTARY CLASSES

Introduction to Math Art Fun: Polygons, Picasso, & Self-Portraits

Instructor: Donna Penna

One-time class

Grades K-5

The combination of math and art is natural. This is a great opportunity for students to express themselves visually while using meaningful math skills such as computation, geometry, measurement, fractions, and statistics. Students use simple shapes to create polygon self- portraits. They identify, describe and define different polygons. The art of Pablo Picasso is used as a starting point for the activity.

“My kids thoroughly enjoyed the class! Ms Donna is very friendly and patient. We will attend more classes by Ms Donna! I also loved the concept of Maths with art!”(Anonymous, parent)

Math Food Art: Cerealscapes

Instructor: Donna Penna

One-time class

Ages 5-9

Cerealscapes combines the fundamental math concepts of estimating, counting, grouping, and sorting with the important art form of landscapes.

In this lesson, students use their number sense, show their counting and adding skills, and connect concrete materials (cereal) to standard mathematical notation while at the same time learn about different land forms. They create their own piece of artwork- Cerealscapes!

We will view and discuss 3 different types of land forms- landscapes, seascapes, skyscrapes. This provides students with ideas for their pictures.

A worksheet will be included in order for students to sort and count their cereal-how much of each type they use and how many pieces they use altogether.

Each student will respond to this lesson according to their own level of development and creativity!

Create and Eat! Oceans & Fish (Science Food Art Class)

Instructor: Donna Penna

One-time class

Ages: 5-10

In this fun class we will create a work of art using food while learning a couple of interesting facts about fish and the ocean.

At the end of the class, students will get to use their creativity to create an ocean scene using graham crackers as their canvas, icing, and Gold Fish crackers. Of course, we will enjoy our creation at the end. Yum!

Students ages 11 & 12 are also welcome to join.

Create & Eat!: All About Eagles (Science Food Art Class)

Instructor: Donna Penna

One-time class

Ages: 6-10

In this fun class we will learn about eagles and then create a piece of art using food. We get to eat our projects at the end of class!

Students will get to use their creativity to create a Bald Eagle snack using a cookie for the bottom, a large marshmallow covered in vanilla icing for the top, rolled it in coconut for the feathers, 2 chocolate chips for the eyes and a gold fish for the nose. Fun and yum!

It’s a fun and simple one-time supplement to your science and/or art curriculum.

Students bring their background knowledge to the class and share, teaching me some cool and interesting facts as well!

Students ages 11 & 12 are also welcome to join.

Create & Eat! All About Penguins (Science Food Art Class)

Instructor: Donna Penna

One-time class

Ages: 5-10

In this fun and interactive class we will create a work of art using food while learning a few interesting facts about penguins.

At the end of the class, students will get to use their creativity to create a snack cake penguin using chocolate roll snack cakes and candies. Fun and yum!

This is the fourth Food Art classes I’ve offered on Outschool! The others, Oceans and Fish, All About Eagles, and Cerealscapes are all fun interactive, interesting, and yummy classes as well!

Students bring their background knowledge to the class and share, teaching me some cool and interesting facts, too!

Students ages 11 & 12 are also welcome to join.

Create & Eat! All About Zebras (Science Food Art)

Instructor: Donna Penna

One-time class

Ages: 5-10

In this fun and interactive class we will create a work of art using food while learning a few interesting facts about zebras.

At the end of the class, students will get to use their creativity to create a snack cake OR banana zebra. Fun and yummy!

This is the fifth Food Art classes I’ve offered on Outschool! The others; Oceans and Fish, All About Eagles, All About Penguins, and Cerealscapes (Math Art) are all fun interactive, interesting, and yummy classes as well!

Students bring their background knowledge to the class and share, teaching me some cool and interesting facts, too!

Students ages 11 & 12 are also welcome to join.

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL COURSES

Math Art: Masking Tape Shoes

Instructor: Donna Penna

One-time class

Ages: 9-12

Shoes are perfect for integrating math and visual arts. All the elements of the visual arts is considered by shoe designer when creating their products- color, pattern, line, and balance. Shoes provide built-in measurement opportunities. In addition, shoes have visual and numerical patterns that lend themselves to graphing and algebra.

In this class, students will create mental images and consider an object from multiple perspectives. Students analyze the geometric properties of the shoes and break the three-dimensional shoe into two-dimensional components. From there they use the two-dimensional model to build a three-dimensional object.

We will spend some time thinking about the parts of the shoe and how shoes are put together, then construct our own actual size, detailed model of their shoe made using only masking tape.

PATH TO PURPOSE YOUTH CAMP

Instructor: Donna Penna

This 1-week, 1 hour/day camp will focus on each student beginning the process of discovering his/her purpose in life, future career, and what they were created to do and be.

Topics include:

• What it means to be successful
• Importance of optimism and confidence
• Importance of gratitude, compassion, & tenacity
• Serving others through our purpose

Activities include:

• Games (Icebreakers, etc.)
• Discussions
• Self-exploration
• Goal-setting
• Next steps for each student in order to move forward.

My 15-year old says: "Leaners who sign up for the class should expect to learn how to understand themselves better. This class allows for the student to work with others and provides different activities when introducing one's self to the other students in the class. Combining ice-breakers along with worksheets and an engaging and positive teacher really helped me to start a goal and to understand my life purpose better. I highly recommend for others who need help understanding themselves or for those who don't exactly know what their purpose in life is yet." (Heidi K., parent)

"This is a wonderful program my son was 16 when he participated and it really gave us clarity of when he is in life and where he is not. Donna is a very sensitive facilitator and knows how to engage with her students. Thank you Donna" (Tamara S., parent)

Path to Purpose– Multi-Day Class

This 5 WEEK, 1 HOUR per week class will focus on each student beginning the process of exploring his/her purpose in life, future career, and what they were created to do and be.

See above for description.

9 STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE YOUR SAT READING & WRITING SCORE

In this one-time class, students who are scoring below 600 on the Evidence-Based Reading & Writing sections of the SAT will learn 9 strategies to help them improve their SAT Test reading & writing score.

This will be, for the most part, a lecture-type presentation. Students will be expected to take notes.

We will discuss:

* why scoring high is a good idea, explain what it takes to score a 600 on SAT Reading & Writing, and then go over key test-taking strategies.

* understanding what you need to get that score on the actual test.

* understanding the passage formats

* what’s being tested

* how to answer the questions

* how much time to spend on questions

“Very helpful because has been over a decade since I took the SAT. I was teaching my daughter incorrectly.” (Nancy R., Parent)

18 Tips to Improve Your ACT Score

In this one-time class students will receive tips and tricks for the ACT exam in order to achieve their best scores on every section.

This will be, for the most part, a lecture-type presentation. Students will be expected to take notes. (Worksheet provided.)

Topics to be discussed:

How to achieve higher scores in the following areas:

• ACT English Tips
• ACT Math Tips
• ACT Reading Tips
• ACT Science Tips
• ACT Essay Tips
• The top 10 books you should be using for ACT prep and a list of the best websites for ACT prep.
• Overall ACT tips including last minute strategies.

 “My daughter felt she got a lot of helpful tips to help her prepare to take the ACT. Great class. Thank you!” (Kelly H., parent)

Reading Comprehension for College: Strategies & Tips for Improvement

Prepare your learner for college level reading.

In this class we will take a look at the differences between reading for high school classes and reading for college courses.
We’ll talk about common obstacles in college level reading comprehension and discuss tips to improve their reading comprehension.

This is a lecture style class with some interaction and discussion as well as practice in one style of taking notes and/or recalling material known as mind mapping.

There is no college experience or prior knowledge required to take this class.

It’s A Goal! Writing Goals & Action Steps

Instructor: Donna Penna

In this 4 week class, students will create and implement the steps needed to move toward living out their purpose or calling by writing goals and action steps for every area of their life.

In this 4 week class we will:
1- Learn how to write, revise, and prioritize goals.

2- Create the next steps as you move toward living out your purpose or calling by writing goals for every area of your life.

3- Take action! Create action steps and take them.

4-Revise your goals as needed.

5- Discuss surrounding yourself with positive, encouraging people who can help you achieve your goals.

6- Discuss what it means to be a goal-getter and not just a goal-setter.

Class Format: This class will be a combination of lecture, discussion, and assignments, i.e., refining our purpose statements, writing goals and action steps. AND let’s play a few games!

18 Years & Over

Crypto Currency

Instructor: Donna Penna

High School/Adults

Free!

Who is this class for?

• Those who have no or very little background knowledge about cryptocurrency & blockchain technology.

• Those who have a knowledge of cryptocurrency & blockchain technology and want to learn how to simply explain the technology to others.

In this class, we will…

• learn the vocabulary used to describe this new currency/technology.
• Learn the history of cryptocurrency/technology.
• Understand the similarities & differences of traditional banking and cryptocurrency.
• learn about the different types of cryptocurrencies.
• Understand the difference between centralization and de-centralization.
• Learn about the security of cryptocurrency.

Disclaimer: This class is for informational purposes only. None of this is financial advice!

DANCE CLASSES

 

Introduction to Autism Movement Dance Class

Various classes for ages 3 & up.

Instructor: Donna Penna, Autism Therapy® Level I Provider certification and a B.S. in Health & Physical Education/Adapted with many years of dance experience.

This is a Creative Dance Movement Therapy class designed for autistic children.

This particular class is a one-time introduction to the class. One-time 30 min. class held on the Zoom platform. Future sessions will be held for those interested in continuing on a 4-wk basis.

Students will learn to dance with all of their body by following along with the teacher and exploring their own movements. (Parent or older sibling is welcome to join along!)

Movement/Dance Vocabulary To Be Explored: Axial Movement, Personal & General Space, Time, Energy/Force, Shapes & Levels (Low, Medium, High), Locomotor Movements (Walk, Hop, Skip, Jump, etc.), Pathways, Patterns

Introduction to Autism Movement/Dance Therapy Workshop for Dance Instructors/P.E. Teachers

Instructor: Donna Penna, Autism Therapy® Level I Provider certification and a B.S. in Health & Physical Education/Adapted with many years of dance experience.

Autistic individuals respond to music because of its highly repetitive nature and well-defined patterns with clear start and finish and predictable features. Movement and dance create an inclusive experience through nonverbal means of expression and communication (Boris, 2001; Koff, 2000).

2 hour workshop

This training can be held at your studio or school. Other locations to be announced.

(If you host a workshop and 10 or more teachers from other studios attend up to 3 teachers from your studio can attend for free.)

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COURSES

Emergency Preparedness & Response: Readiness & Response on the Move

Emergency Preparedness & Response: Readiness & Response on the Move

Instructor- Thurston Gill, Jr.

This mini-course will help to provide us with a practical and realistic look at the tactics and strategies needed to get us through that “unstable space” between us and our pre-designated safe haven, in the event of a disaster or other emergent situation. 

Learning Objectives:

• An understanding of survival concepts.
• Development of crisis management skills to deal with hazardous and emergency situations.
• How to use tactical movement through unstable environments, primarily on foot.

Water Needs in an Urban Survival Scenario

This course will provide the learner with the life-saving skills to treat water for drinking under the most difficult circumstances. 

Instructor- Thurston Gill, Jr

Learning Objectives:

• The Importance of Hydration During a Survival Scenario
• The Dangers of Contaminated Water Sources
• Water and Personal Hygiene
• Finding and Collecting Water –Purification and Filtration Methods